Presbyterian Teacher

Friday, October 11, 2019

Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 4

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Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 4

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THE CHURCH IS ONE BODY

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EPHESIANS 4

Chapter 4. Oneness of The Church

ONE BODY, Eph 4:1-16. A complex organism. with many functions,
each in its own place, working in harmony, its basic principle
love, 16, Christ himself its head and directive force.
Being composed of many members of diverse talents and
tempers, the fundamental requisite to its proper functioning is a
spirit of humility and mutual forbearance on the part of the
members one toward another, Its object is to nurture each of its
members into the perfect image of Christ, Eph 4:12-15.
The idea of growth, as expressed in these
verses, seems to ‚apply both to individuals and to the Church as a
whole. The childhood of the Church will pass. Its maturity will
come. Compare the companion passage, 1 Cor 12,13.

The Church is nearly 2,000 years old, and, in this respect, is
Still in its childhood state. It has not yet, in its visible manifes-
tation as a whole, known Unity. Paul’s unceasing ﬁght was against
factional elements in local churches and the Jew-Gentile dissen-
sion._Then came the bitter controversies of the 2nd to 4th cen-
turies. Then the Imperial Church, with its outward semblance of
Unity under State authority, but poisonous blight of its spiritual
(life; Then the Papal Hierarchy with its Unity of Authority that
robbed men of their rights of Conscience and drove the Bible out
of circulation.

Then, 400 years ago, the Protestant break for freedom. Natu
rally, when men began again to think for themselves, after the
long night of Papal bondage, they would see things somewhat
diﬁerently; and it was inevitable that the Protestant Movement
would go down the years in diﬁerent streams. So we still have a
Divided Christendom. Whether there will ever, in this world, be
an outward organic Unity of the Visible Church, we do not know.
The selﬁshness and pride of men are against it. But there always
has been, and still is, a Unity in the Invisible Church, of God's
true saints, which, somehow, sometime, somewhere, will come to
full fruition, in answer to Christ's own prayer, John 17, and mani—
fest itself as the fullgrown body of Christ.

New Obligations, Eph 4:25-32. Seeing (the Church is a brotherhood. i::
is necessary that its members be very considerate of one another.
“Anger”. Eph 4:26: perhaps Paul thought it was a little too much to tell
them not to get angry at all; so he cautions them to be careful not

to hold it.

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Ephesians 4 New International Version (NIV)

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,

he took many captives

and gave gifts to his people.”[b]

9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Instructions for Christian Living

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Footnotes:

Ephesians 4:8 Or God

Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18

Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth

Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)

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New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Some content adapted from Halley, Henry H., Bible Handbook, Grayson Publishing, Minneapolis, MN. © 1927 - 1959, 1964

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Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia

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Thursday, October 10, 2019

Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 2 and 3

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Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 2 and 3

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EPHESIANS

Chapters 2,3. The Church Universal

Saved by Grace, Eph 2:1-10. The Body of Christ is being built up out
of unworthy sinful men, to be an everlasting demonstration of the
Kindness of God. When God’s work in us is completed we will be
creatures bf Unutterable Bliss in a state oi heavenly glory beyond
anything we can now imagine. It Will be God's work, not ours;
and through the ages heaven will never cease to resound with the
glad hallelujahs from grateful hearts of the redeemed.

Once One Nation, Now All Nations, Eph 2:11-22. “Circumcision”
as a term came to be used as a name of the Jews, as distinct from
other nations which were spoken of as the “Uncircumcision”,
Eph 2:11. For a while the Jews constituted the body of God’s
people, of which circumcision was the ﬂeshly sign, and from
which other nations were excluded. But now the Call from
God rings out clear and strong to ALL, from every tribe and
nation, to come and join His household.

The “Mystery" of Christ, Eph 3:3-9, hid for ages in God, 9, This
passage plainly means that the Nations are heirs to the promises
which God gave to the Jews, but which the Jews hitherto had
thought belonged to them exclusively. That phase of God’s plan
had been hid, though He had purposed it from the beginning, 1:5,
till the coming of Christ, but now is fully revealed: namely: that
God’s future world of glory will be built, not out of the Jewish
nation, but from All Mankind.

Grandeur of the" Church, Eph 3:8-11. Through the Church God
unites the hostile elements of the human race into One Body, and
demonstrates His wisdom to the superhuman orders of heavenly

beings, actually summing up all things in Christ.

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Ephesians 2 New International Version (NIV)

Made Alive in Christ

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Footnotes:

Ephesians 2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.

Ephesians 3 New International Version (NIV)

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Footnotes:

Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).

Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 1

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Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 1

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EPHESIANS

The Unity of the Church
Jews and Gentiles One in Christ

Paul spent his life teaching Gentiles that they could be Chris-
tians without becoming Jewish Proselytes. This was very displease
ing to Jews generally, for they thought of the Mosaic Law as
binding upon all, and were bitterly prejudiced' against Uncir
cumcised Gentiles who presumed to call themselves disciples of
the Jewish Messiah.

While Paul taught Gentile Christians to stand like a rock for
their Liberty in Christ, as he did in Galatians and Romans, yet
did not want them to be Prejudiced against their Jewish
the fellow-Christians, but to regard them as Brothers in Christ.
Paul did not want to see Two Churches: A Jewish Church and
a Gentile Church: but ONE CHURCH: Jews and Gentiles One in
Christ. His gesture, in behalf of Unity, to Jewish elements in the
Church, was the Great Offering of Money which he took from
Gentile Churches, at the close of his Third Missionary Journey,
to the Poor in the Mother-Church at Jerusalem. See Acts 21.

His hope was that this demonstration of Christian Love might
bring Jewish Christians to feel more kindly toward Gentiles.
Paul's gesture, in behalf of Unity, to Gentile elements in the
Church, was This Epistle, written to the leading center of his own
Gentile Converts, exalting the ONENESS, UNIVERSALITY, and.
UNSPEAKABLE GRANDEUR of the Body of Christ.

To Paul, Christ was a Great Big Something, in Whom there is
room, not only for people of different Races, Viewpoints and
Prejudices, but He is One who has Power to solve all the prob
lems of mankind, and bring into unity and harmony with God
all earthly Social and Family life, Eph. 5:22—6:29, and even
the Myriads of Beings in ‚the Inﬁnite Unseen Universe, 3:10.

Ephesians is one of the four “Prison Letters”, written from Paul's
Roman imprisonment, 61-63 AD, “the others being Philippians,
Colossians, Philemon”. Three of these were written at the same
time, and carried by the same messengers, Eph. 6:21; Col 4:7-9; Pln
10-12: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon.
There was another, not now extant, Col 4:16.

Chapter 1. Spiritual Blessings

“At Ephesus", Eph. 1, is not in some of the most ancient manu
scripts. It is thought that, probably, it was intended as a Circular
Letter to the Asian Churches, Tychicus bearing a number of
copies, with space for each city to insert its own name. This
Would account for its lack of personal greetings. with which most
of Paul’s Letters abound.

Paul had spent three years in Ephesus, and had there many de-
voted friends. But if this was a circular Letter to Ephesus and
neighboring cities that would account for its "more formal tenor”.

The Laodicean Letter, Col 4:16, possibly may have been one of
the copies, [See, Lost Letter to the Laodiceans] [1] God's Eternal
Purpose, Eph. 3-14. A magniﬁcent epitome to God’s
plans: the redemption, adoption, forgiveness, and sealing of a
people for God's own possession, determined from eternity, now
being brought to pass through the effective exercise of God’s will.

“Heavenly places", Eph. 3, is a key phrase of this book, 10,20; 2:6;
3:10; 6:12. It means the unseen sphere above this world of sense,
which is the Christian’s ultimate home, and with which we now,
in a measure, have communication.

Paul’s Prayer for Them, Eph. 16-23. That is the way Paul usually
begins his Letters. Four such prayers are especially beautiful; This,
and those in Eph. 3:14-19; Phil. 1:9-11; and Col 1:9-12.
EPHESIANS

The Unity of the Church
Jews and Gentiles One in Christ

Paul spent his life teaching Gentiles that they could be Chris-
tians without becoming Jewish Proselytes. This was very displease
ing to Jews generally, for they thought of the Mosaic Law as
binding upon all, and were bitterly prejudiced' against Uncir
cumcised Gentiles who presumed to call themselves disciples of
the Jewish Messiah.

While Paul taught Gentile Christians to stand like a rock for
their Liberty in Christ, as he did in Galatians and Romans, yet
did not want them to be Prejudiced against their Jewish
the fellow-Christians, but to regard them as Brothers in Christ.
Paul did not want to see Two Churches: A Jewish Church and
a Gentile Church: but ONE CHURCH: Jews and Gentiles One in
Christ. His gesture, in behalf of Unity, to Jewish elements in the
Church, was the Great Offering of Money which he took from
Gentile Churches, at the close of his Third Missionary Journey,
to the Poor in the Mother-Church at Jerusalem. See Acts 21.

His hope was that this demonstration of Christian Love might
bring Jewish Christians to feel more kindly toward Gentiles.
Paul's gesture, in behalf of Unity, to Gentile elements in the
Church, was This Epistle, written to the leading center of his own
Gentile Converts, exalting the ONENESS, UNIVERSALITY, and.
UNSPEAKABLE GRANDEUR of the Body of Christ.

To Paul, Christ was a Great Big Something, in Whom there is
room, not only for people of different Races, Viewpoints and
Prejudices, but He is One who has Power to solve all the prob
lems of mankind, and bring into unity and harmony with God
all earthly Social and Family life, Eph. 5:22—6:29, and even
the Myriads of Beings in ‚the Inﬁnite Unseen Universe, 3:10.

Ephesians is one of the four “Prison Letters”, written from Paul's
Roman imprisonment, 61-63 AD, “the others being Philippians,
Colossians, Philemon”. Three of these were written at the same
time, and carried by the same messengers, Eph. 6:21; Col 4:7-9; Pln
10-12: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon.
There was another, not now extant, Col 4:16.

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Ephesians 1 New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Footnotes:

Ephesians 1:1 Some early manuscripts do not have in Ephesus.

Ephesians 1:5 Or sight in love. 5 He

Ephesians 1:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.

Ephesians 1:9 Or us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he

Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs

Ephesians 1:17 Or a spirit

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[1] The Lost Letter to the Church at Laodicea

The Epistle to the Laodiceans is a lost (although witnessed in Codex Fuldensis) letter of Paul the Apostle, the original existence of which is inferred from an instruction to the congregation in Colossae to send their letter to the believing community in Laodicea, and likewise obtain a copy of the letter "from Laodicea" (Greek: ἐκ Λαοδικείας, ek Laodikeas).[1]

And when this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read before the church at Laodicea, and that you yourselves read the letter which will be forwarded from there.

— Colossians 4:16 OEB

Several ancient texts purporting to be the missing "Epistle to the Laodiceans" have been known to have existed, most of which are now lost. These were generally considered, both at the time[when?] and by modern scholarship, to be attempts to supply a forged copy of a lost document.[2] The exception is a Latin Epistola ad Laodicenses ("Epistle to the Laodiceans"),[3] which is actually a short compilation of verses from other Pauline epistles, principally Philippians, and on which scholarly opinion is divided as to whether it is the lost Marcionite forgery or alternatively an orthodox replacement of the Marcionite text. In either case it is generally considered a "clumsy forgery" and an attempt to seek to fill the "gap" suggested by Colossians 4:16.[4]

Some ancient sources, such as Hippolytus, and some modern scholars consider that the epistle "from Laodicea" was never a lost epistle, but simply Paul re-using one of his other letters (the most common candidate is the contemporary Epistle to the Ephesians), just as he asks for the copying and forwarding of the Letter to Colossians to Laodicea.

The Colossians 4:16 mention

Paul, the earliest known Jewish Messianic author, wrote several letters (or epistles) in Greek to various churches. Paul apparently dictated all his epistles through a secretary (or amanuensis), but wrote the final few paragraphs of each letter by his own hand.[5][6] Many survived and are included in the New Testament, but others are known to have been lost. The Epistle to the Colossians states "After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea."[7] The last words can be interpreted as "letter written to the Laodiceans", but also "letter written from Laodicea". The New American Standard Bible (NASB) translates this verse in the latter manner, and translations in other languages such as the Dutch Statenvertaling translate it likewise: "When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter (that is coming) from Laodicea."[8][9] Those who read here "letter written to the Laodiceans" presume that, at the time that the Epistle to the Colossians was written, Paul also had written an epistle to the community of believers in Laodicea. Wikipedia.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Teaching Notes VIDEO TOUR OF HOLY LAND --- With Names of Locations

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Teaching Notes VIDEO TOUR OF HOLY LAND --- With Names of Locations

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Take a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

I did.

You won't regret it.

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New International Version (NIV)

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Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia

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Saturday, October 5, 2019

Teaching Notes GALATIANS 5 and 6

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Teaching Notes GALATIANS 5 and 6

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GALATIANS

Chapters 5, 6. Freedom in Christ

Paul could not understand how any human being

would deliberately choose to risk his

salvation on works rather than on the gracious mercy of

Christ.

Christ saves us. It is paid for and without cost to us.

One need only accept the free offer of salvation.

We do not save ourselves. It is the difference between freedom

and slavery: But freedom in Christ does not mean license to

continue in sin.

Paul never fails to lay special stress on that. Those who follow

fleshly lusts cannot be saved, Chapter 5:19-21. One of the “spiritual laws

of the natural world” is that a man shall “reap what he sows",

Chapter 6:7, inevitable in its working, whether the seed be wheat or tares.

“Large letters”, 6:11, evidence of the genuineness of his own hand

see note on his “thorn in the ﬂesh” under II Cor 12. writing,

“Branded with the marks of Jesus”, Chapter 6:17. His enemies

claimed that Paul was not a genuine Apostle of Christ.

His battered, bruised, and scarred body was

his testimony that he was genuine. See II Cor 4,6,11.

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Galatians 5 New International Version (NIV)

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Footnotes:

Galatians 5:13 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 16, 17, 19 and 24; and in 6:8.

Galatians 5:14 Lev. 19:18

Galatians 5:17 Or you do not do what

Galatians 6 New International Version (NIV)

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God.

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Footnotes:

Galatians 6:14 Or whom

Galatians 6:16 Or rule and to

& & &

New International Version (NIV)

& & &

Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia

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Opinions of Author not PPC

The Book of Confessions of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America (PCUSA) contains “the” stated and published beliefs of Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA (PPC). A succinct overview of these beliefs may be had by a review of the 1^st Confession: The Nicene Creed. To the extent any statements contained in this Blog are at variance with the published Confessions of the PCUSA, then and in that event, those statements are the opinions of this author and should not be considered the formal opinions of PPC and/or the PCUSA. Hugh C. Wood, Esq., Atlanta, GA.